Section 131.02. Applicability.

  The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all nonferrous metallic mineral prospecting as defined in s. 293.01 (18) , Stats., including the storage, handling, processing, transportation, and disposal of all materials resulting from a prospecting operation except to the extent that prospecting wastes are regulated by ch. NR 182 . The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to those activities which are intended for and capable of commercial exploitation of the underlying ore body. However, the fact that prospecting activities and construction may have use ultimately in mining, if approved, does not mean that prospecting activities and construction constitute mining pursuant to the definition of mining contained in s. 293.01 (9) , Stats., provided such activities and construction are reasonably related to prospecting requirements. This chapter also does not apply to ferrous metallic mining regulated under subch. III of ch. 295 , Stats.

Cr. Register, August, 1982, No. 320 , eff. 9-1-82; corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register March 2011 No. 663 ; CR 13-057 : am. Register July 2015 No. 715 , eff. 8-1-15.